title: Long-term remission of an advanced recurrent endometrial cancer in a heavily pretreated patient using a combined regimen with bevacizumab and metronomic cyclophosphamide.
abstract: The treatment of advanced endometrial cancer remains a challenge and the range of valuable treatments remains limited. Recently, the monoclonal vascular endothelial growth factor--antibody bevacizumab as a single-agent regimen or in combination with different chemotherapeutic approaches has been approved as a therapeutic option for several solid tumors. First, clinical trials evaluating the use of bevacizumab in endometrial cancers have been completed, but the results have not been published yet. A 59-year-old patient with advanced recurrent endometrial cancer presented at our institution suffering from increasing abdominal discomfort. She had been extensively pretreated using radiotherapeutic approaches and multiple chemotherapeutic regimens. The level of cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) was rising and a cystic pelvic mass was detected, consistent with a persistent local tumor relapse. As several cytotoxic treatment attempts had failed, we decided to induce a combined therapy with bevacizumab (intravenously) and metronomic cyclophosphamide (orally) as an individual treatment option. After 6 weeks of treatment, the patient's abdominal complaints had completely disappeared, CA 125 had decreased significantly to nearly baseline levels, and the previously detected cystic pelvic mass could no longer be seen. No significant side effects could be observed besides a mild fatigue. During the following weeks, CA 125 levels continued to decrease, and the patient experienced a long-time remission in fine condition for 10 months before PD. Bevacizumab in combination with metronomic cyclophophamide can be a well-tolerated salvage treatment option for patients with advanced, heavily pretreated recurrent endometrial cancer that exacts further evaluation within clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany. judith.reinhardt@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reinhardt
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schott
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Christof
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eichbaum
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003520:Cyclophosphamide